Signpost: Andrew West

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Where is the Australian Labor Party headed after its historic ballot to chose a leader? Other worldwide social democratic parties, particularly in Britain, are looking to return to some of their ethical and religious traditions, many of which are actually based on Christian social teaching. But while other social democratic parties are trying to make space for social conservatives in their movement, union leader Paul Howes' call for a binding vote on same-sex marriage seems to be heading in the oppostie direction.

On the conservative side of Australian politics, the new Prime Minister Tony Abbott has his own communitarian Christian political roots. But despite his well-known Catholic heritage, will Mr Abbott be able to rely on the vote of DLP Senator John Madigan when the new Parliament sits, particularly for free market reforms?

Overseas, the last few weeks have seen a surge in Islamist violence in Africa and the Middle East. Boko Haram, Al Shabaab, al Qaeda in the Maghreb have been linked with attacks.

And Pope Francis is continuing to making statements that shake the Catholic Church, saying his church has to stop being obsessed with abortion, contraception, and divorce.

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